Cash incentive for Benguet centenarians

THE law providing cash incentives to centenarians of the province of Benguet has taken effect.

This month, the Provincial Social Welfare Development Office (PSWDO) distributed P10,000 each to 28 centenarians who completed required documents and availed of benefits for senior citizens.

Balantin Awal of Balili, and Sawiwit Sacpa both 102 years old from Balili, Mankayan , 101 years old Cristina Castro of Palina, Kibungan and 100 year old Batonis Bocanog of Dalipey, Bakun were the first four to receive their cash incentives.

Based on the PSWDO record, the oldest among those listed to be 100 years old are Linda Patil of Camp 1, Tuba Benguet born on January 1, 1901 aged of 117, followed by 112 year- old Osenia Lokey of Balili Mankayan and 107 year- old Maria Lisnang of Tabaan Sur in Tuba.

Republic Act 108681 or an act granting additional benefit and privileges to Filipino centenarians was signed on 2015.

A provincial ordinance also recognizes the granting of cash incentives and provides benefits to octogenarians, nonagenarians and centenarians who are residents of the Benguet province.

Authored by Provincial Board Member Robert Namoro the ordinance, “Octogenarian, Nonagenarian and Centenarian ordinance of the province of Benguet,” recognizes the vital role of the senior citizens and their contribution to the development of the province.

Namoro said a P1M was appropriated as an initial budget for the ordinance prior to the submission of claims with a P4M included in the supplemental budget for 2017.